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Hyundai Motor partners with drone startup Top Flight

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Hyundai Motor Company has announced a strategic partnership with Top Flight Technologies, Inc., a leading startup in hybrid-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, as part of its broader effort to cement leadership in future mobility solutions.

Hyundai will team up with the Boston-based startup to explore ways to accelerate the commercial application and deployment of UAVs across various sectors and markets.

Joint efforts will extend to cultivating new business opportunities around UAVs, leveraging Top Flight’s patented hybrid-electric power system.

[Read more…] about Hyundai Motor partners with drone startup Top Flight

DJI launches new Phantom drone for construction surveying

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DJI, a maker of civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, has launched its new drone, the Phantom 4 RTK.

The company is emphasising its application in construction surveying. (See video below.)

DJI says the Phantom 4 RTK is a high-precision aerial survey drone that combines centimeter-level navigation and positioning with a high-performance imaging system to improve survey efficiency and accuracy, reducing operational difficulty and cost.  [Read more…] about DJI launches new Phantom drone for construction surveying

Parrot launches drone for construction and surveillance industries

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Parrot Business Solutions has unveiled ANAFI Work, a tool for use in the construction, surveillance and public safety sectors. It contains the advanced ANAFI drone that allows professionals to shoot photos and videos of their projects.

It features a 4K HDR video camera and a 21 MP sensor for carrying out tasks such as building and infrastructure inspections.

The camera tilts vertically from -90° to +90 °, and a zoom of 1.5x in 4K and 2.8x in full HD (1080p), enabling close-ups of specific element, remotely.

[Read more…] about Parrot launches drone for construction and surveillance industries

DJI launches two new drones and ‘sphere’ vision system

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DJI, probably the world’s largest civilian drones maker, has introduced two new drones and a new way for looking at the world, which the company calls “Sphere” panorama. 

The two new drones are called Mavic Pro Platinum and Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian, and they will be showcased at IFA event, in Berlin.

Paul Pan, DJI senior product manager, says: “DJI continuously look for ways to improve its products and introduce new features, many of which are the result of the positive feedback and requests we received from customers around the world.  [Read more…] about DJI launches two new drones and ‘sphere’ vision system

The pros and cons of using drones in the real estate business

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By Tim Jennings, president, Custom Case Group

Are drones a necessity in the real estate business or are they an extra? 

The clearest and quickest way to answer that question is to present a few compelling pieces of information:

  • When the Federal Aviation Administration handed out its first 1,000 commercial drone operator exemptions a couple of years ago, 35 percent were to operators in real estate marketing.
  • The Multiple Listing Service has reported that properties featuring aerial images sell about 68 percent faster than do properties featuring only non-aerial photos.
  • According to the National Association of Realtors, 73 percent of homeowners said they’d be more likely to list with an agent who incorporates video in marketing their home.
  • In March 2016, Goldman Sachs released a report saying the global drone market is expected to grow to $20.6 billion in the next five years.
  • Many analysts are saying last summer’s FAA commercial drone ruling will result in a dramatic expansion of drone use in the real estate industry this year.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The bottom line is: If you haven’t incorporated drones in your operations yet, it’s time to get the process started.  [Read more…] about The pros and cons of using drones in the real estate business

UPS completes testing of drone delivery system developed by Workhorse

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UPS says it has successfully tested a drone that launches from the top of a UPS package car, autonomously delivers a package to a home and then returns to the vehicle while the delivery driver continues along the route to make a separate delivery.

UPS conducted the test on Monday in Tampa, Florida with Workhorse Group, an Ohio-based battery-electric truck and drone developer. Workhorse built the drone and the electric UPS package car used in the test.

Mark Wallace, senior vice-president of global engineering and sustainability at UPS, says: “This test is different than anything we’ve done with drones so far. It has implications for future deliveries, especially in rural locations where our package cars often have to travel kilometres to make a single delivery.

“Imagine a triangular delivery route where the stops are kilometres apart by road. Sending a drone from a package car to make just one of those deliveries can reduce costly kilometres driven. This is a big step toward bolstering efficiency in our network and reducing our emissions at the same time.” [Read more…] about UPS completes testing of drone delivery system developed by Workhorse

Why it makes sense to insure your drone

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It’s sensible to insure your drones, says Insure4Drones.co.uk

It may once have been the preserve of the military, but drone technology is now an important tool for businesses throughout the UK. Companies in many different sectors are increasingly using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to give them a commercial edge.

Who uses drones for commercial use?

Media agencies, for instance, are using drones to produce dynamic advertising footage, or to support news reporting, along with photographic agencies, which employ drones to provide stunning panoramic shots and pictures from previously inaccessible places.  [Read more…] about Why it makes sense to insure your drone

Kespry says its new drone is twice as capable as its previous model

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kespry drone 2.0

Kespry, which designs automated drone systems for commercial use, has launched its new Kespry Drone 2.0.

The company says its new lighter-weight drone flies twice as long, covers twice the ground area, and has double the wind resilience, due to the new airframe, battery, and flight system improvements.

Based on requests from commercial customers, the new Kespry Drone 2.0 now flies over 30 minutes per flight, covering up to 150 acres at a 400 foot altitude, and can operate effectively in up to 25 mph sustained winds and 35 mph wind gusts.  [Read more…] about Kespry says its new drone is twice as capable as its previous model